Improvement in variable exhausts for locomotive and other engines



2 Sheets--Sheot'il n E. A. HILL. Variable Exhausts for Locomotive andiithor Engines. No. 158,710. Parentedian. 12,1375.

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E. A. mu. Variable Exhausts for Luckumotive'-v andA Uther Engines.N0.l58,7l0. y Patented]an.l2,187'5..

NITED STATES PATENT Enron.

EDWIN A. HILL, OF EAST CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN VARIABLE EXHAUSTS FOR LOCOMOTIVE AND OTHER ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,710, dated January12, 1875; application filed January 4, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, EDWIN A. HrLL, of East Cambridge, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Variable Exhausts for Locomotive and otherEngines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in theart to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to that kind ot' exhausts for locomotivescomposed of one or two pipes surmounted by sectional nozzles, which canbe expanded and contracted at the pleasure of the engineer to regulatethe draft.

My improvement consists of certain hereinafter fully explained noveltiesof construction and combination of parts, to the end of furnishin g acomparatively simple apparatus, not liable to get out of order, or toclog or stick by reason of changes of tei'nperature, or of becominggummed up. y Y

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of myimproved variable exhaust. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the saine. Fig.3 is also an end view thereof, but with the cross-head and part of thestandard broken away to expose parts otherwise hidden thereby. Fig, 4 isa horizontal section: Fig. 5 is a detail, showing the cutting-edgesbetween the base-pipe and movable section.

The same letters of reference are used in all the flgures in thedesignation of identical parts.

` The exhaust pipe or pipes B B rise from the base-plate to a height ofseveral inches, and may terminate in cutting-edges. The nozzles arecomposed, in part, of the sections A A, the sectional contour of whichis best seen in Fig. 4, and are fitted with their ends over the pipes BB, and the said sections turn upon pins, as at a a, independently ofeach other. The spaces between the said sections of the nozzles alongthe line of division are covered by the vertical section A in thecenter, and the sections A" A at the respective ends. All these saidsections combined unite to form the nozzle or nozzles proper. On thetops of the sections A Al are flanges a' a, the outer edges of whichcoincide with the respective inner edges of the top of the section A, sothat when the said sections are expanded the column of escaping steamwill be kept unbroken, and will not permit any side issue of lthe steam.The sections A A, instead of being inclined inwardly, as now shown, mayrise perpendicular nearly to the top, and then curved or bent inward, soas to tit closely upon its cutting-edges of the sections A, and theirupper ends or tops be bent inward to overhang the top of the section A,or space between A A, as before. The lower ends of .said sections All Alare rmly fixed to the base-pipe, in any convenient manner. Being ixedthus, there is every opportunity for the expansion of the sections Awhen the device is in use. The edges cf of the section A`A are fitted inclose contact with the sections A A. To accomplish this, each ot' saidedges is made so as to project outwardly, and form a lip upon the entirelength of each ot' said sections. In the movement of the said section toand fro over and upon the inner face of A A these lips form sharpcutting-edges, to remove all accumulations of gum my or sticky matter.

In constructing my device it may be found convenient to curve the innerface of each section to correspond with the circle described vby saidsections A A in their movements to and fro. By this detail ofconstruction the `inner edges of a of said section A come against thecentral section, A', on diagonallyopposite sides. The said edges performthe same office upon said section, as above described, by the edges aupon sections A.

In construction, I may put a cutting edge on each side of said sectionA', so as to impinge upon and work against the inner face ofthe edges amof A'. This is a change I have found ot' advantage under somecircumstances, and it does not materially change the construction oroperation of lny said device.

The sections A A are swung on their centers in the ends, through whichpins a pass to expand and contract the exhaust-apertures by means ofcross-heads D D sliding vertically on fixed standards C C, and providedon their interior sides with oblique converging grooves d d, engaging,respectively, xed studs e e, projectin g from bosses E on the sectionsA. The grooves d stand at only a slight angle to a vertical line, sothat the pressure of the steam on the sections of the nozzles shall beunable to move the cross-heads, but simply aid in holding them, andconsequently the sections A, in any position in which they may bearranged by the engineer. The outer faces of the bosses E are made ofsuch size and shape as to tit against the cross-heads D, and fully coverand protect the grooves d in all the movements of said sections A A. Thecross-heads D are connected, by studs f, to arms F of rock-shaft G,turning in brackets of the standards C. The

aperture or slot f in the end of arm F, through which said stud fpasses, is made oblong, so as to allow for the play of the said arm inthe motions ot' the cross-heads D. The arm H of this shaft G is to beoperated by the engineer from his cab by means of a suitableconnecting-rod. Upon the upper part or top of the pipes B Iform such anedge, b, as that it shall,

when the .sections A A are opened or closed, so impin ge upon them at a5as'to remove and clear away all accumulations of sticky and gummy matterat these points; or I may make this cutting edge or device upon thelower ends of said sections A A. In either event the operation will bethe same, and the change in construction will require only the slightestmechanical skill.

As I have illustrated my invention in the present instance, the sectionsofthe nozzle converge or incline toward each other from base to top, but'it may be found of advantage to construct these parts so that the sidesshall be parallel, or nearly so, from the lower ends almost to the top 5here they shall contract suddenly, so as to materially reduce the sizeof the exit.. This form of construction, under some circumstances, willmaterially increase the effects of the force of the steam as it issuesfrom the nozzle.

When the movable sections are brought together the apertures aresomewhat elliptical in shape; but when expanded about half their limitof movement, which is the position of ordinary use, these openings areround, or nearly so, which is thought to be the best and most effectiveform of exit.

Variable exhausts are made and used, but have but one nozzle, and whenmore than one is needed, a second is placed at its side.

In my device I have produced an exhaust that practically combines two inone, and thus have an exhaust that can be more easily and surely workedthan under former condition, where two exhausts were placed side byside. But, while I thus present my invention, I do not mean to so limitit as to prevent my using one nozzle instead of two. Ordinarily andgenerally two are used, as herenbefore described and explained.

I am aware that exhaust-nozzles provided with cuttingedges and incasedhave been used before, but such a device or method of construction isnot what I claim.

1. The pipes B B, in combination with the sections A A of the nozzles,and the expansible sections A A and center section,A, substantially asand for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the base-pipe B with section A, havingcuttingedges a, and xed sections A A, substantially as and for thepurpose specified. Y

3. The sectional exhaust-nozziesA A, in combination with the centersection, A', and end sections, A A, provided with dan ges or overhangingedges a a", substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of the sections A A of the nozzles, having projectingstuds c c, with the vertically-sliding cross-heads D D, provided withoblique converging grooves d d, and-having arm F, slotted at f', andsecured by bolt f, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The sections A A and pipes B B, combined to operate with and uponeach other by means of cutting-edges a5 and b, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN A. HILL.

